Straw-cutter.



STRAW CUTTER.

numnma rum: mum, ms.

PATENTBD JULY 10, 1906.

2 SHEETS-$11331 1.

PATBNTED JULY 10, 1906.

B. SMITH. v STRAW CUTTER. APPLIOATIOH 211.211 11.21, was.

2 SHEETS-SHEET 2 UNITED STATES OFFICE.

Specification of Letters Patent.

Patented July 10, 1906.

Appliuatfnn fil d January 31, 1905 Serial No. 243,554.

To all whom it may concern..-

Be it known that I, DAVID SMITH, of the town of Durham, in the county of Grey, in the Province of Ontario, Canada, have invented certain new and useful Improvements in Straw-Cutters, of which the following is a specification.

My invention relates to improvements in straw-cutters adapted to be used in connsc tion with threshing-machines or separately, as desired; and the object of the invention is to devise a straw-cutter which will cut the straw very fine and suitable for feed and with a. minimum expenditure of power, which will not be liable to choke or get out of order, in which the knives will require less attention than in an ordinary straw-cutter and yet may be readily adjusted when worn, in which the stationary knives will recede and conse quently any liability of breakage if undue presssure is put upon them or foreign matter ets in between them, and in which the nives may be readily thrown out of operation in case it is desired to leave the straw uncut Where it is desired to stack it; and it" consists, essentially, of a main rotatable cutting-cylinder provided with knives arranged pre erably, radially opposite to each other and secured within suitable holders and a; coasting frame suitably hin ed and provided with stationary knives an suitably supported and the cylindor'and suitab e conveyors extending to the knives, the said knives being arranged as hereinafter more particularly explained. I r

Figure 1 is a distorted perspective view,

4 looking one side, of my straw-cutter. the.

major portion of the frame and the opposite side being broken away. Fig. 2 is a sectional elevation of my straw-cutter. Fig. 3 is a cross-sectional elevation through theline a y,

Fig. 2. Fig. 4 is a detail, partially broken away, of the end holdingblocks for the crossbars supporting the stationary knives. Fi 5 is a distorted erspective detail of the bloc r separating the 'ves. Fig. 6 is a detail of the central disk.

In the drawings like characters of reference indicate corresponding parts in each figure.

A is the main shaft of the rotating cylinder, which is journaled in suitable bearings A on each side of the frame, only one side of the machine being shown in Figs. 1 and'2, the machine being broken away intermediate of holders for the order to hold the knives from lateral same secured in the frame, such frame being artially surrounding diametrically opposite to each other, and the rectangular recesses 5 located diametrically 'opgosite each other.

represents cross-bars which extend at each end into the recesses b.

B is a centraldisk secured on the shaft A and provided with the projections 5 arranged dianietrically opposite to each other, and the recesses b at each side thereof.

D represents channel-iron cross-bars with theihannel to the inside, such channel-bars extending through the recesses b of the disk B and the recesses b of the disk B.

2 represents blocks having notches 3 in the sidesthersof, and 4 designates knives having the double cutting edges 4 4 The blocks fit into the channels of the channel-iron cross- ..bars D and are alternately. arranged with the knives 4 from the central disk B to the outer disks B", being securely held in place by the don itndinal tie-rods 5, which are rovided i 'wit nuts 5, fitting onto their three ed ends.

The rods extend through the notches 3 of the bloc I displacement, I provide the L-holts 6, which extend through the recessed portion of the rim handover the end block 2, and in order to hold the channel-iron bars in osition in the recesses b in the rims I rovi e the side bolts 7, which extend throng the sides of the V recesses into the channel-irons.

It will be noticed that the knives are arranged in two sets in the cylinder B, such sets being arranged radially opposite each other an The two sets of channel-iron bars are connected, referably,bystays b. The cylinder is com eted exteriorly by the substantially semiey iindrical covers B, which extend over thebars C and the channel-iron cross-bars D to the knives and are secured to the channeliron cross-bars by screws or other suitable means. The covers ll serve to prevent the "cylinders'andknives thereof being choked up interiorly.

E represents the sides of the stationary lmife-frame, which are pivotally su ported on the cross-rods e, journaled in t e side boards A, and are provided with upwardlyheld in place in the sam'c'way.

extending horns E and having end notches I obstruction strike the knives G, it will rise a and inwardly and laterally extending projecting lugs 0 The sides E are arranged in segmental form partially around the cylinder B and are supported at the bottom by the inwardly-extending lips f of the brackets F. Each bracket F is held in place by the bolts f, extending through slots in the bracket and through the frame, and the set-screwsf, extendin through the bent upper end F of the brackets F, such set-screws projecting against the plate f on top of one of the longitudinal timbers, as indicated.

By means of the set-screwsf the brackets F may be adjusted vertically, so as to set the stationary knives G, hereinafter referred to, nearer to or farther from the cylinder B.

In order to raise the stationary knife-frame clear of the cylinder when it is desired not to cut feed, I provide a cord or chain 6 which passes around a drum e", journaled in the sides A of the frame, said cord being connected by a spiral spring 6 to the bottom of the sides E of the frame. There would of course be two cords [2 provided, and the drum would be provided at the end with a crankhandle 6, whereby the cord may be wound up, so as to raise the frame. I also provide an auxiliary means for raisin the frame, so as to be able to raise the finives G clear should any obstruction pass between the stationary knives and the rotary knives. Such means consists of a cross-rod 6, having arms e thereon near the ends and pivotally connected by links 6" to lugs on the frame E. It is desirable that this should be operated from the opposite or feeding side of the threshingmachine, so that the knives may be immediately relieved when desired. In order to effect this, I rovide at the outer end of the rod e outside the side boards a suitable double arm e and cords extending to the opposite end of the machine, as indicated by dotted lines, Fig. 2. It will thus be seen that the frame may be raised slightly, when required, so as to relieve the coacting stationary and rotary knives from an obstruction or foreign substance which might pass through between.

H represents the sides of the supplemental frame, which are provided with laterally-extending trunnions h, whereby they are journaled in suitable bearings at the bottom of the sides E. The upper ends of the sides H are supported upon the lugs e of the sides E and are connected together bya cross-bar H, secured by bolts h to the top rib of the sides H of the supplemental frame.

It re resents brackets secured on the ends of the ar H and connected by arms h to the cross-rods h, which extend from notch e to notch e on the o posite side. The rod h, the arms h", and t 1e brackets 70, serve with the bar H to rigidly brace the frame at the top, so that when the frame rises, should any evenly away from the cylinder B no matter where the obstruction or foreign substance may be located crosswise between the knives. In order to bring the stationary knives and supplemental frame down again, I providea spiral spring H at each end, which is connected to the bracket [t and the horn E. The bottom of the sides II of the su Jplemental fran'ie are connected together by a cross-bar II, as indicated, and the outer edge of the sides H of the supplemental frame are provided with a series of exterior recesses H and II and bracing cross-boards H and H",

secured to the edge of the side by suitable bolts.

The sides H preferably have reinforced or ribbed outer edges, as indicated, and beneath these edges are secured the angular deflecting plates h, Fi and h, which serve to guide the cut feed through the knives.

The knives G are secured between blocks 2 and are held by channel-iron cross-bars D exactly the same as the knives 4. The ends of the channel-bars D and blocks carrying each set of knives are held in hollow blocks D which are located in the recesses H H, and B. Each set of knives is held at the ends in its respective recess in exactly the same way, and I shall simply describe the manner of holding and adjusting the knives in the one recessi. a, the top one, H The top of the end block D is provided with an arc-shaped projection (1, having a tapered hole (1/ d is a slotted hole in the bottom side of the hollow block.

d is a flange extending out beyond the reinforcing-rib and rovided with a cross-notch d.

d is a bolt t e square head of which fits into the notch d. The bolt d extends upwardly through the flange (1 the slot (Z and hole d and is provided with a nut at the up per end.

at and d are set-screws extendin through the ribbed sides of the recess H ant designed to contact with the bottom of the block D (i is a plate which is held a ainst the head of the bolt d so as to hold it om turning in its cross-notch d d and d are set-screws passin through the ribbed sides of the recess H an designed to contact with the sides of the block D.

By adjusting the set-screws d and (i as well as the setscrews d and d, the end blocks D may be tilted as desired, so as to give the proper draw to the stationary set of knives G in relation to the rotating set of knives 4. The three sets of knives G may be iven such a desired forward tilt as may be found most conducive to the best results, and each stationary set of knives coacts with the rotating set of knives, they being so placed that the knives of the rotating sets pass between the knives of the stationary sets.

. Han

same

I is the strawdeck, rovided with the discharging-fingers t, and J is the endless conveyer, suitably supported and driven and Ipiovided with cross-bars having feeding gers 9.

K is an endless conveyor suitably driven and supported and provided with cross-slats in", having the feeding-fingers k, as indicated. It will be noticed that the fingers 7c are longer than the fingers 3'.

By means of the fingers 7" and k the straw is fed to the knives, which, rotating at a high rate of speed, effectually and final] chop the straw into a suitable condition for eed.

Should any obstruction meet the knives, the su plemental frame, comprising the sides d their connecting cross-bars, will recede, carrying the knives G away from the knives 4 and allowing such obstruction to pass through. If the obstruction is larger than will allow of the obstruction to pass through, the horns H on the upper ortion of the su plemental frame will strike t e bottom of t e arms a and thereby break the joint between arms a and bar 6 and cause the carrying-frame comprising the sides E and their coacting cross-bars to rise u wardly on the pivot e and allow of the 0 struction to ass through.

As herein efore described, if it is not desired to cut feed the frame, comprising the sides E and their connecting-bars, may be raised.

In order to adjlust or relieve the stationary rotary knives, a 1 it is necessary to do is to loosen the nuts on the ends of the rods, holding the rods and intervening blocks tightly together, when the knives may be adjusted and withdrawn or reversed, as may be desired.

What I claim as my invention is 1. In a straw-cutter, the combination with the rotating cylinder provided with substantially radia ly-arranged knives, of a frame partially encompassing the cylinder and pro vided with 'a; series of sets of stationary knives between which the rotar knives rotate, the said frame being pivotall y supported at the top at the feedin end and slotted bars provi ed with turneiiin lips on which the lower end of the frame rests, bolts extending through the slots in the bars and a set-screw extending through the bent upper end of the bar and resting on the frame as and for the purpose specified.

2. In a straw-cutter, the combination with the rotating cylinder provided with substantially radially-arranged knives, of a main frame partia ly encompassing the cyhnder and comprising the. sldes and connecting cross-bars, a re upon which the frame is pivoted at the top, a support for the frame at the bottom and a supplemental frame comprising) sides and connecting cross-bars, the sides eing provided with trunnions 10111- naled in hearings in the sides of the aforesaid main frame andthe said supplemental frame artially encom )assing the cylinder, and ugs projecting l rom the sides of the aforesaid main frame and projecting under the top of the sides of the supplemental frame and stationary knives carried by the sup )le mental frame as and for the purpose specr "16d. 3. In a straw-cutter, the coi'nbination with the rotating cylinder provided with substantially radiall arranged knives, of a main frame partia 1y encompassing the cylinder and comprising the sides and connecting orosshars, a rod upon which the main frame is pivoted at the top, a support for the frame at the bottom and a supplemental frame comprising sides and connecting cross bars, the sides being provided with trunnions journaled in hearings in the sides of the afore said main frame and the said supplemental frame partially encompassing the c linder, lugs projecting from the sides of the aihresaid main frame and pro'ecting under the top of the sides of the supp emental frame and stationary knives carried by the su plemental frame, the cross-rod extending t ough the side boards of the machine, the de ending arms, the links pivotallv connects to the bottom of the arms and the sides of the main encompassing frame and the horns of the supplemental frame designed to come in contact with the bottom of the said arms to break the joint when the cross-rod is artially rotated'as and for the purpose speci ed.

4. The'eomhination with the rotating cylinder and the substantially radially arranged sets of alined knives, of the encompassing frame suitably supported and the supplemental frame supported on the encompassing frame and provided with peripheral recesses and the sets of stationary alined knives suitably supported in said recesses and means for Eiltmggeach set as and for the purpose speoi fipln'a straw-cutter, the cutting-cylinder comprising the end disks having peripheral recesses therein, the channel-iron cross-bars fitting each side of the recesses, the alined knives; the intervening blocks extending into the channel-iron cross-bars and means for holding the blocks and knives securely together as and for the purpose specified.

6. In a straw-cutter, the cutting-cylinder comprising the end disks having peripheral recesses therein, the channel-iron cross-bars fitting each side of the recesses, the alined knives, the intervening blocks extending into the channel-iron cross-bars and havin side notches and the rods extending throng the blocks and provided at the end with suitable nuts as and for the purpose specified.

7 In a straw-cutter, the cutting-cylinder comprising the and disks having peripheral recesses therein, the channel-iron cross-bars fitting each side of the recesses, the alined knives, the intervening blocks ex tending in to the channel-iron UIOSS-lJIIS and having side notches, the rods extending through the ,1 blocks and provided at the end with suitable u nuts and the intermediate stays connecting the channel-iron (I'USS-lHlFS in the opposite l recesses as and for the purpose specified.

8. In a straw-cutter, the cutit ing-cylinder comprising the end disks having peripheral l recesses therein, the channel-iron cross-hars fitting each side of the recesses, the alined knives, the intervening blocks extending into the channel-iron cross-bars and having side notches, the rods extending through the blocks and provided at the end with suitable nuts, the L-shaped bolts extending through the inner sides of the recesses and projecting over the end blocks as and for the purpose specified.

9. In a straw-cutter, the cutting-cylinder comprising the end disks having peripheral recesses therein, the channel-iron cross-hare fitting each side of the recesses, the alined knives, the intervening blocks extending into the channeliron cross-bars and having side notches, the rods extending through the blocks and provided at the end with suitable nuts, and the bolts extending through the sides of the recesses into the channel-iron cross-bars as and for the purpose specified.

10. In a strawcutter, the cutting-cylinder comprising the end disks having peripheral recesses therein, the cl'iannel-iron cross-bars fitting each. side of the recesses, the alined l knives, the intervening blocks extending into the channel-iron cross-bars, means for holding the blocks and knives securely together and the semicylindrical encompassing covers iglordthe cylinder as and for the purpose speci- 11. The combination with the su plemental frame, of a set of stationary a ined knives and channel-iron cross-bars and intervening blocks and means for holding the ends of the bars in place and means for tilting the pugs of the bars as and for the purpose speci- 12. The combination with the supple mental frame, of a set of stationary alined knives and channel-iron cross-hars and intervening blocks, the hollow end blocks into which the channel-iron bars and intervening hlocks fit and means for seeming the intervening blocks and knives together and holding them within the hollow end blocks as and for the purpose specified.

13. The combination with the supplemental frame comprising sides having recess located opposite to each other, of the alined sets of knives, means for holding them together, the end blocks within which such means extend provided with arc-shaped u per projections and tapered hole through the projection, and a slot in the lower side of the hlock, sets-screws extending through the reinforcing edge of the sides, set-screws extending through the flanges underneath the end E blocks and plates through which such set screws extend, and bolts fitting in notches in the flanges and extending up through the slots in the and blocks and the tapered hole in the arc-shaped projection on the top of the end hlocks as and for the purpose specified.

14-. In a straw-cutter, the combination with the main encompassing frame provided with upwardly-projeeting horns having end notches, of the supplemental frame comprising the sides and ccnnecting cross-liars, the

llI'IlCkPI secured llO u er CIOSS-I'Od H cross-rod fitting in the note es in the horns aforesaid, and the arms connecting the brackets to said cross-rod as and for the purpose specified.

15. In a straw-cutter, the combination with the main encompassing frame provided with upwardly-projecting horns having end notches, of the supplemental frame comprising the sides and connecting cross-bars, the brackets secured to the up er crossbar, a cross-rod fitting in the note es in the horns aforesaid, and the arms connecting the brackets to said cross-rod and the springs connecting the brackets to the horns as and for the purpose specified.

DAVID SMITH. Witnesses B. BOYD, J. P. HOLMES. 

